Sen. Obama and Sen. Clinton had a joint event in Unity, New Hampshire in June.

(CNN) – Amid reports that Bill Clinton is frustrated with his speaking slot at the convention and Hillary Clinton wasn’t considered for Barack Obama’s running mate, the Illinois senator refuted both Monday, telling reporters that former President Clinton can speak about anything he likes and argued that Hillary was in fact looked at.

CNN reported Monday morning that President Clinton is not happy he was asked to speak Wednesday night when the theme is national security. Clinton prides himself on his administration’s economic success, a pillar of his 1992 campaign.

Obama says he told Clinton last week he could discuss whatever he likes.

“Bill Clinton is a unique figure in our politics,” Obama told reporters at a hastily assembled news conference Monday afternoon. “This is the only person, the only Democrat that has been re-elected since FDR and he is somebody who is equally adept at talking about domestic issues and foreign policy issues.”

“Wednesday night most of the focus is going to be about foreign policy, but Bill Clinton knows a little bit about trying to yank an economy out of the doldrums and trying to help middle class families,” Obama added. “It wouldn’t make much sense for me to want to edit his remarks to prevent him from making a strong case about why we need fundamental economic change in this country.”

Obama also pushed back against questions about his campaign not vetting Hillary Clinton, saying “one of the things I don’t want to do is start getting into all the details about my vice presidential process.”

“I’ve said publicly and I will repeat again that Senator Clinton would have been on anybody's short list and so I took her very seriously,” said Obama.

What she on his short list?

“I think you can draw that conclusion,” Obama responded.

Obama said he wasn’t concerned about the possibility of protests by Clinton supporters at the convention because the Clintons have been clear about their support for him and will “be active parts of our campaign for the remaining 70 days.”

“There are going to be some of Senator Clinton’s supporters who we’re going to have to work hard to persuade to come on board, that’s not surprising,” said Obama. “But if you take a look I think at this week, I am absolutely convinced that both Hillary Clinton and Bill Clinton understand the stakes…”

I hope all Dems finally realize what I as a Republican have realized for some time: The Clintons are bad people! Why are we still hearing about the Clintons and their strife. I am just plain tired of it. Dems...don't let the Clintons ruin this thing for you!!!

August 25, 2008 06:37 pm at 6:37 pm |

Vegas

It's a little late to shove your nose up Bills backside Barry...

The polls got you nervous eh? Now you need the Clintons eh?

Tough... no amount of bottom sucking is going to help you... you didn't even get a bounce in the polls from Biden... you are a tool...

Hillary 2012...

August 25, 2008 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |

Griff

But you know you have just Lied again. When will you stop!!
Where were you Born Obama??? Tell the Truth!!!!!

August 25, 2008 06:38 pm at 6:38 pm |

Obamalism

Awesome job in blowing the lid off this story CNN!!!!

August 25, 2008 06:39 pm at 6:39 pm |

Steven,VA

I would think that if the Clinton's did have personal feelings about Obama then these would be put aside for the better good. Hillary supporters it is time to unite, unite, unite!

August 25, 2008 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |

anonymouys

Leave Your Comment

August 25, 2008 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |

Proud PUMA!

This is such B.S. I can't stand Obama.. Not only have he and his people disrespected the Clintons since January, but then he pretends that everything's all just peachy.. sickening.

Please, please, PUMAs, let's unite and defeat this guy and then rally around Hillary, and build her up so she can't lose in 2012. Let's do what we need to do to make this happen.

PUMAs Unite – Vote McCAIN in 2008 – So we can vote HILLARY in 2012 !!!!!

August 25, 2008 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |

sharon

Amazing after the heat is turned up on Obama and his disrespect of the Clintons suddenly Bill Clinton and speak about whatever he wants, ......I don't trust Obama, don't like the fact that his views change at every turn...I sincerely hope is is not elected...for President! As a Democrat I would have voted for him if HRC had been his VP choice but not now....

August 25, 2008 06:40 pm at 6:40 pm |

BK

Obama you lie so much you make me sick.

August 25, 2008 06:41 pm at 6:41 pm |

Joe Kiloz

A L S O+++++++++++D E N I E S+++N O T++++S U P P O R T I N G+++++

B R O T H E R+++++++++++I N++++++++++++K E N Y A+++++++++++++

August 25, 2008 06:41 pm at 6:41 pm |

James

I`m 52 years old and I`m just finding out how stupid some of our American people are, and they wonder why things are the way they are. i`ts simply because they are selfish and has let color ruin this country, to all ,God is watching you and it`s time you let him have his way, Obama is put in this position for a reason. It`s time to let go of the color thing and vote for change. Remember as the Bible says the bottom will rise to the top. Again the Bible is ful-filling
It`s going to be a change
Let him use you Obama !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

August 25, 2008 06:41 pm at 6:41 pm |

Oldschool23

The McCain campaign is running a TV ad attacking Obama with statements that are literally true but paint an incomplete picture.

It says he "voted against funding our troops." He did – exactly once. Obama cast at least 10 votes for war-funding bills before voting against one last year, after Bush vetoed a version that contained a date for withdrawal from Iraq.

It says he "hasn't been to Iraq for years." He was headed there at the time the ad was released, however, and had been there in 2006.

It says he "never held a single hearing on Afghanistan." It was the full Senate Foreign Relations Committee, not Obama's subcommittee, that had the hearings on this global hot spot, and Obama attended one of those. Over the same time period, McCain himself attended none of the Afghanistan hearings held by the Armed Services Committee on which he serves.

True Leadership You can Trust!! Just like the PUMA's!!

August 25, 2008 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |

Peter (CA)

Oh but I am sure he is lying because he is unqualified blah blah blah

The haters can find all kinds of things to post on but seldom seem to use facts to support their arguments.

Can't wait until next week when the circus opens up in St. Paul and all of the hypocrites come out of the woodwork.

August 25, 2008 06:42 pm at 6:42 pm |

Boston For OBAMA

UNITY UNITY UNITY..............The Clintons will do what they can to help OBAMA reach the White House. If the Puma people and other republicans disagree that's their choice. OBAMA 08

So can we let it go now? You've gotten this message from both campaigns over and over, but you still keep trying to stir up controversy with this. The media has fueld this more than the campaigns. So can you just let it go now, and cover the actual issues of this campaign?

August 25, 2008 06:46 pm at 6:46 pm |

Please and Thank You

Believe that and there was another INEXPERIENCED Candidate that in 2000 said he was a 'UNITER NOT A DIVIDER'..

Believe that and before you know it, IF elected, he'll have his face on the $3 Bill

Believe that and think back to the promises he made the State of Illinois before leaving BEFORE he finished his 1st term and voting 191 times 'Present'

Believe that and the word 'Pocket Change' comes to mind in that he'll be in the pockets of Washington D.C. Democratic Old Cronies like Pelosi, Reid....as evidenced by his selection of Biden...one of the most and oldest cronies of them all

Believe that and we'll have to rely on Billionaires like T.Boone Pickens to spend his billions to corner the new energy market while Obama learns how to be President OJT

August 25, 2008 06:47 pm at 6:47 pm |

KATHLEEN

Hillary hanger ons need to grow up and move on. Obama
can't choose a woman who has a husband telling Obama what
to do. I like Biden.
Hillary supporters need to vote for MCWAR, MCDRAFT, MC NO ENTITLEMENTS. MC SEND ALL THE JOBS OVERSEAS,
MCBUSH. MCSAME, MC DON'T HAVE A CLUE, MC MORE OF
THE SAME, MC MAKE THE RICH RICHER WITH LESS TAXES
AND THE POOR POORER IN EVERY WAY!!!!!!!